NEW figures have revealed that more than 38,000 young people across Yorkshire and the Humber have taken part in employer-led placements of work experience through Jobcentre Plus since January 2011.

As part of the Government's economic plan to build a more competitive economy, 263,080 young people across the UK have taken up opportunities through employer-led sector-based work academies or work experience placements.

It comes as the number of young people out of work has fallen by 141,000 to May 2014, compared to the same month in 2013, and the number claiming Jobseekers' Allowance have fallen for the past 31 months.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: "Our young people are some of the best and most talented in the world – they are driven, entrepreneurial and innovative – and just last month we saw the biggest annual fall in the number of unemployed young people since records began.

"Young people tell me they need work experience to get a job, but they need a job to get work experience, which is why our advisers in Jobcentre Plus work closely with local businesses to provide tailored training opportunities for young job-seekers across the UK.

"Already, more than 260,000 have taken up the support we offer, and I'd encourage every young person considering their future to think about what sort of work experience or training we can help with to lead to the career they want."

Through the Department for Work and Pensions network of more than 700 job centres, young people get tailored support depending on their local labour market.

Work experience and sector-based work academy schemes launched in January 2011 provided a huge boost to the chances available to young people to learn about the world of work. Support is also available for young people who want to become their own boss, and local employers are helped to fill the skills gap through job academies, apprenticeships as well as supporting young people with work experience.

Jade Andrews, 21, has been offered an apprenticeship by Shoreline Housing Partnership partner, Wates Living Space, having joined the social landlord's project team in April as an apprentice administrator.

She finished School in 2009 with her sights set firmly on a career in film production and went on to complete A Levels at college, as well as qualifying in both film studies and media studies.

She then completed an apprenticeship level 2 at Grimsby Institute and, after seeing the apprenticeship with Wates Living Space advertised, she thought it would be interesting to work in a different industry.

And, although still interested in film and media, Jade is now pursuing this as a hobby rather than a career, having decided to finish her apprenticeship level 3 and gain full-time secure work within the construction industry

She said: "I am enjoying working in a different industry and feel I am gaining a lot of knowledge that otherwise I would not have known."

Wates Living Space senior customer liaison officer Kelly Birkinshaw added: "Jade is picking up things very quickly and working on her own initiative most of the time, any task given to her is completed promptly and with accuracy.

"I am looking forward to seeing how she will develop further over the coming months as she is keen to assist with organising events, which would be outside of her normal day-to-day role."

April Rymer, 17, of Dame Kendal Grove, on the Nunsthorpe Estate, also secured a part-time job as a housing assistant at Shoreline Housing Partnership after completing a six-month paid placement with the social landlord.

She said: "I had to leave school in Year 8 for being naughty and was sent to pupil referral units.

"I managed to get eight GCSEs but I knew going to college wasn't for me. I didn't see the point getting qualifications when employers often put more value on practical experience.

"Getting the placement was a shock to begin with because I was used to being at school from 9am to 2.30pm, but I soon got used to working a full day.

"The placement has been really good for me. Now I'm hoping to get a full-time job."